Visit the Delta Music Museum and tour the Old Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge

$40 in Mayflower Money

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Louisiana

Welcome to the beautiful South. We arrive in New Orleans and transfer to our downtown hotel. Tonight get to know your traveling companions and learn the basics of Louisiana cooking from wellknown local chefs while enjoying dinner at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Meal: D

Day 2 New Orleans Touring and Jazz Brunch Cruise

We begin with a narrated tour of New Orleans which includes the beautiful Garden District, colorful River Walk and historic French Quarter with famous Bourbon Street. Then, we climb aboard the iconic Steamboat Natchez for a “real New Orleans” experience, a Jazz Brunch Cruise. This two hour cruise along the Mississippi River features traditional live jazz music by the talented Steamboat Stompers combined with a delicious and causal New Orleans Brunch. Tonight, enjoy free time on own in the “Quarter” for dinner or maybe some beignets and coffee at Café du Monde. Meals: B, L

Day 3 WWII Museum and Mardi Gras World

We begin the day at the National WWII Museum. Celebrate the American Spirit as you experience moving personal stories, historic artifacts and powerful interactive displays. From the Normandy invasion to the sands of Pacific Islands, the Museum salutes the optimism, courage and sacrifice of those who won the war and changed the world. Later, go behind the scenes and Mardi Gras World to see how these amazing floats are made. In the evening we are treated to dinner at the historic Court of Two Sisters. Located in the French Quarter, this restaurant has been a New Orleans standard for years. Meals: B, D

Day 4 Canjun Swamps and Mighty Oaks

We travel south of New Orleans today and embark on a narrated journey through the Louisiana swamp to see the vast wetlands, exotic wildlife, brilliant flora and the king of the swamp, the alligator. Then, we venture north into “plantation country.” We stop at the majestic Oak Alley Plantation, the impressive mansion whose twenty five acres of history and romance is dominated by the “alley” of 300-year-old live oak trees. Next is Nottoway Plantation Resort where a plantation dinner and overnight stay await. Meals: B, D

Day 5 Nottoway and Rosemont Plantations

After breakfast at the plantation, we take a tour of this 1859 Greek Revival and Italianate-style mansion, which is the largest antebellum plantation house in the South. Later we stop at Rosemont Plantation, the family and boyhood home of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America 1861-1865. Tonight, dinner is a delicious buffet served at the Magnolia Bluffs Casino. Meals: B, D

Day 6 Natchez Historic Homes

Today our Southern experience begins at the Natchez Visitor Center to learn about Natchez, its history and the many antebellum and Greek Revival homes found here. Then, we set off to visit the impressive Longwood. The nation’s largest octagonal house, Longwood’s construction began in 1860 but was halted by rising tensions over the Civil War. While the exterior of this octagonal edifice is largely complete, only the home’s lowest level was finished. After our included lunch we head over to our next museum home, the sprawling Stanton Hall. This palatial Greek Revival antebellum residence is elegantly furnished with period antiques and original Stanton family pieces. From its delicate arched millwork in the hall and parlors to the outstanding marble mantles and large pier mirrors, the home has infinite appeal. Meals: B, L

Day 7 Delta Music Museum and Old Governor’s Mansion

We make our way back to Louisiana and stop at the Delta Music Museum. Here, the focus is on the local Mississippi River Delta country rock and roll and blues musicians. Then we continue to the river town of Baton Rouge for a visit to the Old Governor’s Mansion. Built by then governor Huey Long, the mansion shares many architectural similarities to the White House. Tonight, our Tour Manager hosts a farewell dinner. Meals: B, D

Day 8 Home

Bid a fond farewell to America’s Deep South with a group transfer to the airport in Baton Rouge for flights out after 11:00 a.m. Meal: B